Container and method of capping it



July 24, 1934. 1. F.A PETERS CONTAINER AND METHOD OF CAPPING IT Filed Aug. 22, `1931 2 Sheets-heet l INVENTOR lfm:

ATTORN FFM I CONTAINER AND METHOD OF CAPPING' IT Filed Aug. 22, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORN ff/f l y INVENTO'R -f/ am Patented July 24, 1934l UNITED STATES PATENT ori-ICE CONTAINER AND METHOD F CAPPIN G IT John F. Peters, Leonia, N. J., assigner to American Can Company, `New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey spoliation met zz, 1931, serial' No. 558,751

'z claims'. (c1. v11e-121) The present invention relates to a metallic container and to the method of producing the same and has for its object the improvement and simplification of a closure for such container which is easily opened by removal of an opening wire.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a closure of the general character described which has a scored part 1 easily broken upon removal of the opening wire and one which provides an effective seal for the container prior to opening.

`Numerous other objects of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the l' following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring tothe drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container 3 embodying the improvements of the present invention and produced by the practice of its method;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail in front elevation and partly in section of the container and u its closure parts;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 in Fig. 2 and illustratlng the container parts in closed position;

Figs. 4 and 5 are views similar to Fig.. 3 illus- 3 trating steps in opening of the container;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3, illustrating a container cover and retaining ring in assembled position prior to the final closing operation;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary schematic view illusn trating a step in the closing operation of the container; and

rigisaviewsimilartoliglshowinga scoring step in the closing operation.

'I'he present invention is particularly directed to the production of an improved closure in which is incorporated a retaining ring and wire opening device, the cover member of the joint being weakened to permit easy opening of the container by a bending of its flange during reu moval of the opening wire. After opening the altered cover member may be again used as a reclosure.

The form of container and closure and steps in the method of producing the same are-graphmuy illustrated in the drawings wherein there is disclosed a tubular body 11 having a bottom end 12 secured thereto in any suitable manner as by the usual double seam. The upper end of the body 1l is extended outwardly beyond its u exterior wall in a Bange 13 which is preferably -after placing of the cover.

bent back' on itself at 14. 'Ihis construction reinforces the upper or open end of the container and hides the raw edge of the body. The flange parts V13, 14 are preferably curved, as illustrated, to insure closer nts within the closure 00 joint as hereinafter described.

A cover or top end member 18 is provided having a vertical wall 19 adapted to frictionally t within the open end of the body 11. This wall 19 merges into an annular curved wall 21 05 which encloses an annular groove 22. The outer edge of the curved wall 21 extends into a flange section 23 (Fig. 6) which projects downwardly at a slight angle to the wall 19. The parts 21 and 23 are preferably made integral with the 70 cover, as shown.

A retaining ring and opening wire 25 preferably of circular cross section is used as one element in the closure joint and provides, in addition to its closing functions, an opening device for breaking the closure seal when access to the interior of the container is desired.

In assembling the closure parts, preparatory to sealing and closing of the joint, the cover member 18 is placed within the open end of the .50

container body 11 (Fig. 6) a suitable gasket material 26 being preferably provided in the groove 22 of the cover. The retaining ring 25 is assembled on the container body either before or In such assembled 95 position the body of the ring encircles the outer wall of the can body.

This ring 25 is now brought into contact withv the flange part 14 of the can body (Fig. 6) where it is tangentally engaged inside by the body wall 11 and outside by the ange 23 of the cover member. A handle end 27 overlaps the opposite i end of the ring extending for its length parallel to and beneath that end (see also Fig. 2). This handle connects with the ring body in a bridge 28 across which a slot 29 extends.

The assembled parts being in place for the final operation of closing i.e. for the final sealing of the can and cover joint, the end of the flange l 23 of the cover 1s is bent into the form shown 1n Figs. 3 and 7. This operation -of bending is preferably performed by means of a roller 31 having an overhang'ing upper part 32, the lower surface of which joins the curved wall of a groove 33 formed in the roller. 'This roller is also provided with an annular ledge or ridge 34 of angular cross section. the upper wall of which merges into the groove 33. 'I'he lower wall of the ridge merges with the curved wall [lil of a second groove 35 situated directly beneath the groove 33.

The can body 11 and its cover 13 may be suitably backed up or held in position during closing operation by a chuck member 38 adapted to snugly lit within the cover, a backingmp wall 39 of the chuck engaging the wall 19 of the cover. The container, its cover and chuck. are rotated relative to the seaming roller 31 and the spinning action that takes place effects the ange bending previously referred to. It will be observed that the can body, cover and ring are tightly held together during this bending of the cover flange, the shape oi the roller groove 33 and the spaced projecting parts Y32, 34 preventing any misalignment.

The end oi the ange 23 of the cover is Vthus bent into a circular ring enclosing wall el.. The handle 27 of the ring 25 thereupon projects beneath the bent cover edge 41, the ridge 34 of, the roller passing across the slot 29 of the ring, the part of the connecting bridge 28 at the base of the slot clearing the roller ridge. After being bent the outer edge of the flange wall 4l. extends under the ring and Where this edge crosses the bridge 28 it rests inside of the groove 29 of the ring.

The present invention contemplates the Weet;- ening of a portion of the cover flange acacent the retaining ring 25 in order to allow for easier opening of the can when the ring is removed. This is preferably accomplished by a scoring operation performed in the iiange 23 o the cover 18. Such scoring may be variously7 accomplished. .For example, the cover may be scored prior to its assembly with. the container body or it may be scored during or following the closing operation. It is the present practice to score the flange oi the cover after it has been bent into sealing position.

To eiiect such subsequent scoring operation, a scoring roller e5 may be utilized (Fig. e). This roller preferably has an overhanging ledge d@ and a groove e7 of the same shape as the groove 33 of the roller 31. A corresponding annular extension ledge 48 and a second groove e9 are also provided. A section of the wall oi the groove e7 oi this roller ll5 is provided with a sharp annular scoring ridge or die 5i. The backing chuck 38 is again used and during relative rotation between the can, cover and chuck on the one hand and .the roller e5 on. the other, the rollerv is moved toward the chuck. The die ridge 5l thereupon cuts or scores a .j groove 52 (Figs. l, 3 and 8) preferably in the curved wall section el of the cover and preierably substantially opposite to the middle oi the ring. The ridge ed of the roller passes across the slot 29 of the ring 25 without enraging the wall or' bridge 28 at the base oi* the groove.

When the container is to be opened, the han die part 27 of the retaining ring 25 is forced downwardly, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2, the wire ring 25 moving out of its seat, downwardly and away from the curled edge el of the cover flange. 'the edge fil oi the cover frange 23 is bent outwardly (Fig. d), the principal bending action y being concentrated at and along the weakened score line 52, the walls o the scored channel being brought close together as the metal buckles at the base o the score line. The ring 25 is thrown aiva its function or forming a closure 1n this removal of the ring,-

:cocasse and o openingv the can having been accomn plished.

ln the opened position, the terminal edge oi' the cover .ilange section Lil is greater in .diameter than the diameter of the outermost perimeter of the container flange parts 13, 14 and the cover 18 is therefore free and can be removed from the can body by a simple lifting action. If desired the cover may be subsequently rcplaced as a reclosure for the container.

The scoring of the cover flange permits an easier opening of the container as the removal of the wire ring 25 does not require the force otherwise. needed to rlp sheet metal or to unbend a solid cover flange. At the same time the holding action of the bent edge el of the cover is not impaired, the stiiiness of the metal in the iiange being 'adequate until removal of the wire to eect the proper closure.

lt is thought that the invention and many oi its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be appara ent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the parts of the device described herein and in the steps and their order o accomplishment of, the process described herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the

form and process hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

l. A container, comprising a tubular body having an upper edge beyond and outside the wall ci said body, a retainer ring positioned on said body beneath said outwardly extending edge, vand a cover member having connected therewith s, downwardly extending ange ernbracing said retainer ring, said nange being weakened to facilitate outward bending or said i flange and removal oi said ring.

2. A container, comprising a tubular body' having an upper edge extending beyond and out1 side oi said body wail, e. retaining ring positioned on said body beneath said body edge, and a cover member having a downwardly tending flange partially enclosing said body edge and said retaining ring and having its lower edge iree from the body, said flange having an annular score cut in its outer wall adjacent said jr retaining ring.

3. A container, comprising a tubular body having anuppei' edge extending beyond and outside of seid body wall, a retaining ring posiw tioned on said body beneath said body edge, f

and a cover member having a downwardly er tending iiange having its lower edge free rela tive to the body and partially enclosing said body edge and said retaining ring to effect a closure for said container, said ange having an annular score cut in its outer wall adjacent said retaining ring, said ring in' its removal out11 Wardly bending said cover iiange along said score line to eiect an opening oi said container.

e. A container, comprising a tubular body having an upper edge extending beyond and outu side of said body wall and bent baci; on itself to form a ilange oi double thickness, a ret-aim ing ring positioned on said body beneath the doubled edge of said body edge, a cover member having a downwardly extending iiange partially enclosing said body edge and said retaining ring, said flange having an annular score cnt in its outer wall adjacent substantially to the middle interposed between said body and 'said cover member. l p

5. A container. comprising a tubular body having an upper edge extended beyond and outside oi' said body wall. a retaining ring positioned on said body beneath said body edge and projecting beyond the outermost part thereof, and a cover member having a scored dow wardly extending flange partially enclosing said body edge and said retaining ring to eii'ect a closure for said container, said retaining ring being also adapted upon removal from its enclosed position to outwardly bend said cover flange at said scoring to clear said body edge to facilitate removal of said cover in the opening of said\ container, the part oi' said flange below the score remaining on the cover to form a portion of the cover when used as a reclosure.

6. 'Ihe method of producing an easy open container which comprises providing a can body with an upper outwardly extending edge, providing a cover member with an outwardly extending ilange, providing a weakened area in said flange along a line which will be opposite to substantially the middle or widest part of the ring. Providing a retaining ring..assemb1ing said cover member on the upper end of said body with said retaining ring substantially encircling said body beneath its upper edge, and bending said cover iiange intoy enclosing position over said retaining ring with said weakened area adjacent said bend. and leaving the bottom edge of said iiange free from said body.

7. The method of producing an easy open container which comprises, providing a can body with an upper outwardly extending edge, providng a, cover member with an outwardly extending ilange, providing a retaining ring, assembling said cover member on the upper end or said body with said retaining ring substantially encircling said body beneath its upper edge, bending said cover ilange into enclosing position over said retainingring, and scoring said cover flange adjacent said bend at the same time that it is bent into enclosing position.`

JOI-1N F. PETERS. 

